Washington Street
The Heart and Soul of Stockton Chinatown
Chung Wah: the Chinese Benevolent Association
Stockton’s Confucius Church is the headquarters for the Chinese Benevolent Association, also known as Chung Wah. The two-story building next to the Crosstown Freeway, with its turquoise-green pagoda roof, was the hub of the Chinese community’s business and social activities. Chung Wah is Cantonese for “the center of the greater whole.”
Holt-Atherton Special Collections University of the Pacific
Chung Wah has been the umbrella organization for Stockton’s Chinese community groups since 1915. Presidents of the various family-clan associations, along with representatives of the district and fraternal associations made up the Chung Wah Board. The Board mediated community disputes, looked after the homeless and the needy, and served as a liaison between the Chinese and American communities. In 1924, Chung Wah built the Confucius Church at 212 E. Lafayette Street. A large auditorium was added to the back of the building in 1949.
the Chinese Christian Center. In 1925, the Methodist Home Mission rented space from Chung Wah. When they outgrew the space in 1943, the Mission bought the Atwood Printing Company building next door.
Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association
Part of Chung Wah’s mission is to promote the welfare of the Chinese community through the awareness and appreciation of Chinese culture. In the mid-1910s, the Chung Wah Chinese School was founded to teach children how to read and write Chinese. It also taught students the history and geography of China. Students attended class during the week after American school and on Saturday mornings. Chinese movies, youth drum corps, tai chi and kung fu classes, and Chinese folk dancing were some of the activities offered at the Confucius Church. In 1927, Chung Wah established a Chinese Cemetery on Mathews Road in French Camp.
Racial segregation confined the Chinese community to South Stockton until the late 1950s. As families began buying houses in North Stockton, businesses in Chinatown declined, family associations became less active, and Chung Wah’s role diminished. The Confucius Church, which saw its most active years between the 1930s and 1960s, fell into disrepair. In 2009, concerned citizens organized a fundraising campaign to restore the Confucius Church. Over a five-year period, they raised $184,166 to renovate the second-floor school, the Confucius Church auditorium, the 236 (Annex) Building, and the Chinese Cemetery. An open house was held in 2013 to celebrate the revitalization of the buildings. You can use the sliding image below to view the building after construction and revitalization.
The Confucius Church narrowly escaped destruction during redevelopment in the 1960s. Today, it stands as a proud and distinctive reminder of a bygone era of a bustling Chinatown. Chung Wah preserves Chinese traditions and provides cultural enrichment opportunities. It continues to be a gathering place for a more diverse Chinese community, in which culture and history are shared.
Activities Under the Chung Wah Umbrella
Chinese Christian Center Mencius basketball team in 1947. The Mencius Club was a Hi-Y program at the Stockton YMCA. The team was coached by Edmond Loy and Bill Toy and had several perfect seasons. Courtesy of Howard Fong 
Stockton Chinese School fifth graduation ceremony June 1930. Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association 
Stockton Chinese School Band Drum Corps. Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association 
Chinese Christian Center Mencius basketball team in 1947. The Mencius Club was a Hi-Y program at the Stockton YMCA. The team was coached by Edmond Loy and Bill Toy and had several perfect seasons. Courtesy of Howard Fong 
The Methodist Home Mission was established in 1905 and was the precursor to the Chinese Christian Center. In 1925, the Methodist Home Mission rented space from Chung Wah. When they outgrew the space in 1943, the Mission bought the Atwood Printing Company building next door. A 100 by 100 lot was made possible by a bequest from Mrs. Kile’s estate and a grant from the Home Board. Mrs. J. M. Kile was a former superintendent of the mission. Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association 
Chinese Christian Center senior choir on Easter Sunday, March 29, 1948. Holt-Atherton Special Collections University of the Pacific
activities, arts, and crafts. The boys are taught the lion dance and the girls are taught folk dancing, like the ribbon dance.
Courtesy of the Chinese Benevolent Association